Bursting Your Solar Cover Bubble

Every once in awhile, I’ll get a call from a customer who is concerned about their solar cover “popping.”  They describe it as the bubbles bursting and falling off into the pool water.  Unfortunately, issues like this are not covered under the manufacturer’s warranty because it only covers seam separation.  However, I do have some helpful advice to extend the life of your cover.  First and foremost, the most common issue contributing to solar cover deterioration is water chemistry.  If your water is out of balance it can damage the cover that is resting on the surface.  The main culprit of this is your pH level.  If your pH is too low it becomes acidic and will eat away at the cover.  If the pH is too high it will be very basic and can disintegrate the material.  Either way, it’s not a good thing.  Chlorine can also cause damage to your cover if the level is too high.  Any time a pool is shocked with liquid chlorine, the cover should be removed and left off for at least 24 hours.  By allowing the chlorine level to drop back to a normal range, you are avoiding unnecessary damage to your cover.  Along with chemical damage, the sun itself can actually hurt the solar cover as well.  The little white plastic cover that comes with the solar cover is meant to protect it from the sun when the cover is off of the pool.  Rolling up your cover and letting it just sit in the sun will cause it to literally bake itself.  The bubbles will “burst” and the cover can actually melt together.  Always clean off the cover and allow it to dry for a brief time.  Roll or fold the cover, cover it with the white plastic, and store it out of direct sunlight/heat.  By following these guidelines you can avoid unnecessary wear on your cover.  – Stacey